In Treviso, in northeastern Italy, Renato Gobbetto, a 62-year-old retiree and former banker, transformed his 500-square-meter garden into a true sanctuary for 400 turtles.
Since 2009, when he bought the house with his wife, he began collecting and caring for these reptiles, inspired by a childhood memory: visiting a friend of his father who had dozens of turtles.
What started with two specimens soon became a passion. Today, Renato claims he recognizes each one of them and has even named them, like Margherita and Carmen.
Daily life with 400 turtles
In his garden, turtles of all sizes coexist: from tiny specimens, the size of a coin, to others with shells of 35 centimeters. The largest ones require at least 20 square meters each, and in summer some roam freely around the house.
From October to March, the turtles hibernate by burying themselves about ten centimeters underground, reducing their activity to just two heartbeats per minute and losing only 2% of their weight. Renato takes advantage of this period to rest, until in spring he sees them emerge covered in dirt and slowly reactivate their metabolism.
Feeding and reproduction
The diet of the turtles is simple but strict: grass, dandelion, and especially radicchio, an Italian vegetable. Together they consume 10 kilos daily.
In May, the mating season begins. Renato maintains a ratio of one male for every ten females to avoid conflicts. The females dig for hours to lay their eggs, which are then collected by Renato and placed in incubators. To monitor the entire process, he installed 30 cameras in the garden, allowing him to monitor even from a distance.
Identification and regulations
Each turtle carries a color mark on its shell for identification. Additionally, by regulation, all must have a microchip and a CITES certificate, the international agreement that regulates the trade of protected species.
Renato warns that owning a turtle without documents can lead to criminal charges and hefty fines, as they are highly sought-after animals. Although they are not affectionate like dogs or cats, he acknowledges that turtles recognize their environment and generate fascination in both children and adults.
The case of Renato Gobbetto shows how a personal passion can transform into a conservation and animal care project. His turtle sanctuary is not only an example of dedication and discipline but also a reminder of the importance of respecting international regulations to protect vulnerable species.
